Author Archives: eclecticlamb

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Week 40 Beaded Hedebo Edge

The stitch for week 40 of TAST was the Beaded Hedebo Edge. I enjoyed working with this stitch. I am not a beader so I did not have a great selection of beads for this sampler. But I used what … Continue reading →

Posted in Embroidery | 1 Comment

Dance Themed Slumber Party

I enjoyed helping with a dance themed slumber party for a 13th birthday. Invitations The birthday girl knew she wanted a star shaped handcrafted invitation that folded up. I designed a prototype and once approved, we worked together to make … Continue reading →

Posted in Party Planning | Tagged , , | 5 Comments

Week 39 Knotted Buttonhole Stitch

The stitch for week 39 of TAST was the Knotted Buttonhole stitch. There are many different types of knotted buttonhole stitch. We learned the version with the knot at the bottom. I found this stitch to be easy and enjoyable.

Posted in Embroidery | 3 Comments

Buffalo Bills Bento

This week the Bento of the Week (BOTW) theme at the Bento Blog Network is “Favorite Team”. I don’t follow sports but my 8 year old nephew follows several teams. He requested a Buffalo Bills themed lunch. Container: EasyLunchBox Sandwich: … Continue reading →

Posted in Bento / Cute Food | Tagged , | 7 Comments

Napkin Ring Tutorial

This past summer my in-laws celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary with a country barn dance. It was held at their farm and my mother-in-law self-catered a majority of the meal for 300 guests. I designed and created napkin bundles. The … Continue reading →

Posted in Crafts | 3 Comments

World Animal Day Lamb Bento

In celebration of World Animal Day I am happy to join my fellow Bento Bloggers & Friends on an animal themed blog hop. Each blog  is featuring a different animal themed lunch. Of course I choose lambs. I am excited … Continue reading →

Posted in Bento / Cute Food | Tagged , , | 33 Comments

Week 38 Drizzle Stitch

The stitch for week 38 of TAST was the Drizzle stitch. I struggled with this stitch. It took me a LONG time to complete the few stitches on this sampler. I normally do not enjoy threading needles and this stitch … Continue reading →

Posted in Embroidery | 3 Comments

Bagel Bento

I made this for my 8 year old nephew. It was a simple and quick lunch assembled from breakfast leftovers (I added the pistachios for protein and crunch). It was  not a cute lunch but my nephew thought it was … Continue reading →

Posted in Bento / Cute Food | 4 Comments

Bento Blog Network Anniversary

This week is the 1 year anniversary for the Bento Blog Network. In celebration I made this simple bento. I discovered Diana’s site about 6 months ago. I enjoy creating bentos to fit her weekly theme. Some of my most … Continue reading →

Posted in Bento / Cute Food | 6 Comments

Talk Like A Pirate Bento Blog Hop

Treasure Chest with Vegetable Treasure: French bread baked in a mini loaf pan, mini corn, peas, carrots, and peas & carrot necklaces Skull: White chocolate with milk chocolate features (cheddar cheese under skull) Pirate Monkey: White cheddar, Sargento ultra thin … Continue reading →

Posted in Bento / Cute Food | 38 Comments

From the Garden Bento

This lunch was fresh from the garden (mine and my grandmother-in-law’s). The Lentil Salad with Feta Cheese is a typical summer staple for me. I added the crackers for an extra “crunch” factor. Lentil Salad with Feta Cheese from Cooking … Continue reading →

Posted in Bento / Cute Food | 2 Comments

Weeks 36 & 37 TAST Catch-up & Pistil Stitch

Week 36 was a catch-up week. I was already caught up so I spent time stitching the baptismal stoles. The stitch for week 37 of TAST was the Pistil stitch. I found this stitch to be easy and fun and … Continue reading →

Posted in Embroidery | 2 Comments

Ballet Positions Bento

This week the Bento of the Week (BOTW) theme at the Bento Blog Network is “Dance”. I made a stencil for the first three ballet positions. Bento Box: ECO Lunchbox Fruit: Apples with music picks Main: Rice with carrots, green … Continue reading →

Posted in Bento / Cute Food | 6 Comments

Hand Embroidered Baptism Stoles

I embroider Baptism stoles for my parent’s church. Several members of the church hand embroider these Baptismal garments. My parent’s church baptizes over 150 babies each year. Candle and embroidered stole Dove and trinity symbol stitched with variegated thread Dove … Continue reading →

Posted in Embroidery | Tagged , , | 13 Comments

Summer Tea Bento

Unsweetened Iced Tea with lemon Mini bagels with cream cheese, pepper, and cucumber slices Watermelon and blueberries Apricot and Oat scones (Martha Stewart Baking Handbook) Apricot jam (low sugar, homemade – I picked the apricots myself), and fresh whipped cream … Continue reading →

Posted in Bento / Cute Food | 2 Comments

Week 35 Sheaf Stitch

The TAST stitch for Week 35 was the Sheaf stitch. It is an easy and quick stitch.

Posted in Embroidery | 3 Comments

Doctor Who Bento Blog Hop

When I was a child my dad watched Doctor Who. I was often drawn into an episode but I don’t think I ever watched an entire show. I found parts of Doctor Who too scary to watch. I have not … Continue reading →

Posted in Bento / Cute Food | 10 Comments

Week 34 Linked Double Chain Stitch

The TAST stitch for Week 34 was the Linked Double Chain stitch. I was not fond of this stitch but I don’t think I like any stitch that involves the twisted chain.

Posted in Embroidery | 1 Comment

Back to School Bento

I made this bento for my 10 year old nephew. It was his first day of 6th grade at a new school. My nephew enjoys math so I decided on a math theme. The carrots and cucumber are supposed to … Continue reading →

Posted in Bento / Cute Food | 7 Comments

Mouse Bento

My 8 year old nephew planned this bento. I gave him my animal cookie cutters and the mouse inspired him. His sister and I just helped a little with styling. Background: tortilla Mouse hole: red pepper Border: Wheat thins and … Continue reading →

Posted in Bento / Cute Food | 4 Comments

Dinner with Edible Bowls

My 15 year old nephew wanted to make a meal with edible bowls. This is the same nephew who when he was young wanted to make a dinosaur shaped bread that stood up. (we made it happen) Since I am … Continue reading →

Posted in Food | Tagged , , , | 8 Comments

Week 33 Pekinese Stitch

The TAST stitch for Week 33 was the Pekinese stitch. It is a simple stitch but I struggled with threads and ripped out a lot of stitches. It was not my first time working with the Pekinese stitch. Pekinese attempted … Continue reading →

Posted in Embroidery | 3 Comments

Bear Puzzle Bento

I made this especially for Fancy Sandwich Friday at Beneficial Bento. It is raining this morning so I could not get good photos. I assembled this meal quickly with food I had in the house. My husband went out in … Continue reading →

Posted in Bento / Cute Food | 8 Comments

Bake Sale Food

We made caramel popcorn, cheese bread, and cookie pops for a bake sale at my in-law’s church. Caramel Popcorn My husband made his family’s favorite caramel popcorn recipe. Ingredients 3 quarts air popped popcorn 1 1/2 cups peanuts (optional) Cooking … Continue reading →

Posted in Food | 4 Comments

Lego Bento

This lego themed lunch was fun to make. My 8 year old nephew thought it was fun to eat. Lego Bricks Blackberry yogurt: I dyed some bricks blue and kept some natural. I froze the yogurt in a building bricks … Continue reading →

Posted in Bento / Cute Food | Tagged | 16 Comments

Week 32 Cast-on Stitch

The TAST stitch for Week 32 was the Algerian Eye stitch. I enjoyed this stitch and expect to use it again.

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Bento Tips – Sandwich Backgrounds

I continue to experiment with edible backgrounds for my bentos. I make a lot of American food bentos because that is what my nieces and nephews will eat. Many of my bentos contain some type of sandwich. I love the … Continue reading →

Posted in Bento / Cute Food | 1 Comment

Adirondacks Bento

For this vacation themed bento I made a bread canoe. Canoes remind me of summers at our family property in the Adirondacks  (Hamilton County, NY). I love canoeing on a calm lake in the morning or evening. Canoe: French bread … Continue reading →

Posted in Bento / Cute Food | Tagged , , , , | 10 Comments

Pasta and Beets Lunch

This is not a cute bento but it was delicious. I love the combination of pasta, blue cheese, and beets. Farfalle pasta (bow-tie) with blue cheese and a little bit of olive oil Peach Beets (from my sister-in-law’s garden)

Posted in Bento / Cute Food | 1 Comment

Week 31 Algerian Eye Stitch

The TAST stitch for Week 31 was the Algerian Eye stitch. I enjoyed playing with this stitch!

Posted in Embroidery | 6 Comments

Wild West – Gold Rush Party

Two of my nephews (in one family) have birthdays a few days apart so they have a combined birthday party with family. The theme this year for their 8th and 12th birthdays was Wild West / Gold Rush. My niece … Continue reading →

Posted in Party Planning | 1 Comment

Week 30 Oyster Stitch

The TAST stitch for Week 30 was the Oyster stitch. I think that  I eventually understood the stitch but it is not my favorite.

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Olympic Bento

This lunch was for my 10 year old nephew. In my constant quest to find interesting backgrounds, I used caramel popcorn this time. I think it was my first and last time. It is not healthy and is a bumpy … Continue reading →

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Week 29 Basque Stitch

The TAST stitch for Week 29 was the Basque stitch. This is another new stitch that I enjoyed learning. I can see myself using it for borders and other uses.

Posted in Embroidery | 2 Comments

Union Square Greenmarket in July

The city that never sleeps does not wake up early on Saturday morning. I had some time Saturday morning before leaving NYC for my Great Aunt’s 80th birthday party on Long Island. I decided to go to the Union Square … Continue reading →

Posted in Adventures, Food | 3 Comments

Week 28 TAST Up and Down Buttonhole

The TAST stitch for Week 28 was the Up and Down Buttonhole stitch. I loved working with this stitch and expect to use it again in the future.

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Butterfly Bento

My 13 year old niece and I made this bento lunch. I used a cookie cutter to mold the sticky rice butterflies. Spinach salad with pistachio nuts Rice butterflies with heart sprinkles and pistachios Watermelon butterflies Linking up at:

Posted in Bento / Cute Food | Tagged | 6 Comments

Week 27 TAST Bonnet Stitch

The TAST stitch for Week 27 was the Bonnet stitch. I experimented with this stitch and did not quite get it. I think that the top row is the furthest from being correct, but it is my favorite.

Posted in Embroidery | Comments Off on Week 27 TAST Bonnet Stitch

Care Package Graduation Gift

Many years ago, I found this idea  from Be*mused for a care package gift certificate. It is a perfect gift for a high school graduate planning to attend college. I first used the care package gift certificate a few years … Continue reading →

Posted in Crafts | 2 Comments

Winners of 1st Blogiversary Giveaway

Thank you to everyone for your kind comments and for entering my first giveaway! The winner of the napkins is #1 – Mary Lee. The winner of the bento is #26 – Rina. Mary Lee and Rina, I will be … Continue reading →

Posted in Blog | 2 Comments

Week 26 TAST Palestrina Stitch

The TAST stitch for Week 26 was the Palestrina stitch. I am very far behind. Hopefully I will complete some catch-up stitches this week. I enjoyed working with this stitch.

Posted in Embroidery | Comments Off on Week 26 TAST Palestrina Stitch

1 Year Blogiversary Giveaway

Today is my blog’s 1 year anniversary. I started this blog as a class assignment for a masters course in Social Media. I went against advice to have a single topic blog because I wanted one place to document my … Continue reading →

Posted in Blog | 40 Comments

Zebra Bento

I created this for my nephew a few days before his 4th birthday. This bento lunch was themed to match the activity we did that day. We went to Hidden Valley Animal Adventure. They have trolley rides where visitors can … Continue reading →

Posted in Bento / Cute Food | Tagged | 7 Comments

Transportation Birthday Party

My sister-in-law held her son’s 4th birthday at her parent’s farm. The invitation for this party mentioned trains, cars, tractors, and trucks. This was a family party with about half adults and half young cousins in attendance. My contributions to … Continue reading →

Posted in Party Planning | 3 Comments

Week 25 TAST Cable Chain Stitch

The stitch for week 25 of TAST is the Cable Chain Stitch. While my version may not be as beautiful as more accomplished stitchers, I enjoyed playing with this stitch.

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Picnic Bento

My 13 year old niece and I planned this bento. I am proud of her concept and planning. She even created a grocery list for me! Picnic blanket: rice and red pepper Grass: snow peas Watermelon: red pepper, chocolate sprinkles, … Continue reading →

Posted in Bento / Cute Food | 6 Comments

Felt Road Gift

When I found the Felt Road patrol kit post by Kristen at  Make the Best of Everything, I knew it would be perfect for my nephew’s 4th birthday. I decided to keep my kit simple and did not add the … Continue reading →

Posted in Crafts | 1 Comment

Sand Dollar Bento

This week the Bento of the Week (BOTW) theme at the Bento Blog Network is “Beach”. My inspiration was Maine vacations my family took when I was a kid. I loved to walk the beach and find sand dollars. This … Continue reading →

Posted in Bento / Cute Food | 2 Comments

July 4th Bento

This week the Bento of the Week (BOTW) theme at the Bento Blog Network is “4th of July”. My 11 year old nephew and I came up with this red, white and blue theme for this lunch. We worked together … Continue reading →

Posted in Bento / Cute Food | 6 Comments

Hot Bento

This week the Bento of the Week (BOTW) theme at the Bento Blog Network is “Hot”. While brainstorming the theme I thought about three interpretations for hot. Sun Spicy Cool and refreshing for a hot day I decided to incorporate … Continue reading →

Posted in Bento / Cute Food | 3 Comments